{"id":106,"date":"2024-02-23T13:23:48","date_gmt":"2024-02-23T18:23:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/capufren100\/chapter\/3-10-structure-adjectifs-irreguliers\/"},"modified":"2025-10-01T19:22:37","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T23:22:37","slug":"grammaire-adjectifs-irreguliers","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/capufren100\/chapter\/grammaire-adjectifs-irreguliers\/","title":{"raw":"Grammaire 1: irregular gender","rendered":"Grammaire 1: irregular gender"},"content":{"raw":"
\r\n
\r\n\r\nOn \u00e9tudie !<\/span>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n\r\nWe have previously learned how to use descriptive adjectives to describe people and that adjectives always need to agree with the gender (and number) of the nouns they modify.\r\n\r\nWe have also seen that to make an adjective feminine, we generally add an -e<\/strong> to the masculine form.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n
masculin<\/strong><\/blockquote>\r\n<\/th>\r\n
f\u00e9minin<\/th>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\r\n
Eric est petit et brun. <\/span><\/blockquote>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
Sarah est petit<\/span>e<\/strong>\u00a0et blond<\/span>e<\/strong>. <\/span><\/em><\/td>\r\n(Eric is short and dark-haired.)\u00a0 <\/em>(Sarah is short and blonde.)<\/span><\/em>\r\n<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\r\n
Il est amusant.<\/span><\/blockquote>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
Elle est amusant<\/span>e<\/strong> aussi.<\/span><\/td>\r\n\u00a0(He is funny.)\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0(She is funny too.)<\/em>\r\n<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n
\r\n

Formes irr\u00e9guli\u00e8res du f\u00e9minin<\/h3>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n(a) But there are a few exceptions which you have already been exposed to:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
MASCULINE form\r\n\r\nvieux\r\n\r\nblanc\r\n\r\nbeau<\/td>\r\nFEMININE form\r\n\r\nvieille\u00a0<\/strong> (old)<\/em>\r\n\r\nblanche<\/strong> (white)<\/em>\r\n\r\nbelle<\/strong> (beautiful\/handsome)<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\n

(b) Below is a (partial) list of additional irregular adjective ending changes with examples.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\u00a0<\/caption>\r\n
\r\n

Masculin<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

\r\n

F\u00e9minin<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

\r\n

Exemples<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

\r\n

Anglais<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n

<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\r\n

-(i)er<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

-(i)\u00e8re<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

cher, ch\u00e8re<\/span><\/p>\r\n

premier, <\/span>premi\u00e8re<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

dear\/expensive, first<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

-eux<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

-euse<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

heureux, <\/span>heureuse<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

happy<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

-if<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

-ive<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

sportif, sportive<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

sporty<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

<\/td>\r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

-os, -on<\/strong><\/td>\r\n-osse, -onne<\/strong><\/td>\r\n\r\n

gros, grosse<\/p>\r\n

bon, bonne<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

fat\/big, good<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

-ien<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

-ienne<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

ancienne<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

ancient\/old<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

-l<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

-lle<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

cruel, cruelle<\/span><\/p>\r\n

gentil<\/span>, gentille<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

cruel, nice<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

-x<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

-sse<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

roux, rousse<\/span><\/p>\r\n

faux, <\/span>fausse<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

red-haired, false<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

\r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

(c) Remember that some adjectives have identical<\/strong> masculine and feminine forms. This is generally the case with adjectives ending in e<\/strong> in their masculine form. For example:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\u00a0<\/caption>\r\n
Masculin ou F\u00e9minin<\/th>\r\nMasculin ou F\u00e9minin<\/th>\r\nMasculin ou F\u00e9minin<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
calme<\/td>\r\nmince (thin)<\/em><\/td>\r\nsemblable (similar)<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
riche<\/td>\r\njeune<\/td>\r\nironique<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
pauvre (poor)<\/em><\/td>\r\nminuscule<\/td>\r\nridicule<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

Note:<\/h3>\r\n

While most adjectives are placed after the noun they modify, you might have noticed that some adjectives may precede the noun. We will learn more about this next semester but feel free to get a sneak preview by clicking on this link Structure : Position des adjectifs<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n","rendered":"

\n
\n

On \u00e9tudie !<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

\n
\n

We have previously learned how to use descriptive adjectives to describe people and that adjectives always need to agree with the gender (and number) of the nouns they modify.<\/p>\n

We have also seen that to make an adjective feminine, we generally add an -e<\/strong> to the masculine form.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

masculin<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/th>\n

f\u00e9minin<\/th>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Eric est petit et brun. <\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n

Sarah est petit<\/span>e<\/strong>\u00a0et blond<\/span>e<\/strong>. <\/span><\/em><\/td>\n(Eric is short and dark-haired.)\u00a0 <\/em>(Sarah is short and blonde.)<\/span><\/em>
\n<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Il est amusant.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n

Elle est amusant<\/span>e<\/strong> aussi.<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0(He is funny.)\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0(She is funny too.)<\/em>
\n<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n

Formes irr\u00e9guli\u00e8res du f\u00e9minin<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

(a) But there are a few exceptions which you have already been exposed to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MASCULINE form<\/p>\n

vieux<\/p>\n

blanc<\/p>\n

beau<\/td>\n

FEMININE form<\/p>\n

vieille\u00a0<\/strong> (old)<\/em><\/p>\n

blanche<\/strong> (white)<\/em><\/p>\n

belle<\/strong> (beautiful\/handsome)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\n
\n

 <\/p>\n

(b) Below is a (partial) list of additional irregular adjective ending changes with examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u00a0<\/caption>\n
\n

Masculin<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

F\u00e9minin<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Exemples<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Anglais<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

-(i)er<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

-(i)\u00e8re<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

cher, ch\u00e8re<\/span><\/p>\n

premier, <\/span>premi\u00e8re<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

dear\/expensive, first<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

<\/td>\n<\/td>\n\n

\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

-eux<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

-euse<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

heureux, <\/span>heureuse<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

happy<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

-if<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

-ive<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

sportif, sportive<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

sporty<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n\n

\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

-os, -on<\/strong><\/td>\n-osse, -onne<\/strong><\/td>\n\n

gros, grosse<\/p>\n

bon, bonne<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

fat\/big, good<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

-ien<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

-ienne<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

ancienne<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

ancient\/old<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

-l<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

-lle<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

cruel, cruelle<\/span><\/p>\n

gentil<\/span>, gentille<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

cruel, nice<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

-x<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

-sse<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

roux, rousse<\/span><\/p>\n

faux, <\/span>fausse<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

red-haired, false<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\n
\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

(c) Remember that some adjectives have identical<\/strong> masculine and feminine forms. This is generally the case with adjectives ending in e<\/strong> in their masculine form. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u00a0<\/caption>\n
Masculin ou F\u00e9minin<\/th>\nMasculin ou F\u00e9minin<\/th>\nMasculin ou F\u00e9minin<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
calme<\/td>\nmince (thin)<\/em><\/td>\nsemblable (similar)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
riche<\/td>\njeune<\/td>\nironique<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
pauvre (poor)<\/em><\/td>\nminuscule<\/td>\nridicule<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n

Note:<\/h3>\n

While most adjectives are placed after the noun they modify, you might have noticed that some adjectives may precede the noun. We will learn more about this next semester but feel free to get a sneak preview by clicking on this link Structure : Position des adjectifs<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1947,"menu_order":4,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[49],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-106","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry","chapter-type-numberless"],"part":435,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/capufren100\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/106","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/capufren100\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/capufren100\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/capufren100\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1947"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/capufren100\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/106\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2430,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/capufren100\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/106\/revisions\/2430"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/capufren100\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/435"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/capufren100\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/106\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/capufren100\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=106"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/capufren100\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=106"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/capufren100\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=106"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/capufren100\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=106"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}